OTHER AWARDS: National Register of Historic Places; Texas Historic Landmark

HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE: Home of Adolphus Sterne (1801-1852), Nacogdoches German settler, and his bride Eva Catherine Rosine Ruff. Stern was a delegate to the convention of 1833, agent for the Republic of Texas in recruiting and financing two companies of New Orleans volunteers, Captain of a volunteer company at the Battle of the Neches (1839), served as Nacogdoches Postmaster, was a member of Texas State House of Representatives and Senate. Sam Houston was baptized a Catholic in this house, Thomas J. Rusk was a frequent guest, Davy Crockett spent a fortnight on his way to the Alamo, and Chief Bowles of the Cherokee signed a peace treaty here. Joseph von der Hoya (1811-1896) Nacogdoches resident since 1836, purchased the home in 1869, and his granddaughters, Clara Hoya Gray and Jennie Hoya Mast, deeded the House to the City of Nacogdoches in 1958 for use as a library. Sterne-Hoya Library occupies the rear of the house.

HISTORY OF STRUCTURE: The house reflects East Texas from early colonization until after the Texas Revolution. It is the oldest on-site dwelling in the city and the only one dating from before the Texas Revolution. The front rooms and upstairs are the original Sterne house. One parlor is furnished on the period of the Sternes and the other in the Victorian style of the Hoyas.

RESTORATION: Friends of the Adolphus Sterne Home, Inc. formed in 1983, and the restoration supervised by Capt. C. K. Phillips was completed in 1985. The exterior and interior reflects the architectural integrity and decor of the Republic Period. The house had wooden shingles, clapboards, full porch, doors, and windows with antique hand-made brick fireplaces. Tasteful adaption on the left side of the porch makes the structure wheelchair accessible.